4.5 star rating.
A dark family drama that explores the fragmented, complex relationship between mother and son. The story is told from the perspective on an unnammed narrator and switches back an forth from him in the present day and him at 8 years old. I found Bauer's depiction of the mother and son relationship to be very realistic and his perspective of an 8-year old very authentic. As much as I enjoyed this book I strongly disliked the narrator, I could not sympathise with him despite having an understanding of his difficult upbringing. On the other side, I was able to sympathise with the mother throughout the story, and understand her need to foster children to bring a sense of purpose to her life, to overcome her grief and perhaps fill a void that mothering her one son was not able to fill. In saying this, I felt for the 8-year old narrator and his apparent need for attention, and emotional and physical intimacy his mother neglected to give him. Overall, this is a beautifully written novel that has the ability to take the reader on an emotional rollercoaster and I'm sure will be one that will stay with me.